South Florida Crime

CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – A Coral Gables victim is speaking out after surveillance tape is released of a burglary at his home.

Police are also asking for the public’s help in solving this crime and neighbors say there has been an increase recently in such crimes.

“They took jewelry. They took computers. They took small things,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified and asked CBS4 not to show exactly where he lives on Monserrate Street. “This was not a good experience. Obviously I don’t feel safe.”

The victim told CBS4’s Peter D’Oench that “I think that they were watching us. They waited for us to leave and then they came in to our driveway. They were waiting for us to leave. I have no idea why they picked our home. We need to get these people off the street before they do this in other places.”

The victim added, “I think people should be more aware of their surroundings and be more vigilant.”

New surveillance tape released by Coral Gables Police shows what happened just before 9 p.m. on Friday September 28th. The suspects are seen driving back and forth on Monserrate Street. About a minute after the victims leave for dinner, the suspects stop at the home in their SUV.

One camera captures a man who is thin, with dark hair and a ponytail, checking out doors and windows in the back yard.

“I just know you can see his face,” said the victim.

“The one with the ponytail is the closest one to the camera,” said Officer Kelly Denham. “So we’re looking to our viewers to see if they recognize this individual,” said Coral Gables Police Officer Kelly Denham.

Another suspect notices a surveillance camera and is tries to disable it.

In 20 minutes, police say they steal $2,000 worth of jewelry including a yellow and white gold necklace and yellow and white gold medallion, two gold crosses, a gym bag and a dell laptop computer.

“We don’t know if they have committed other crimes,” said Denham. “We might be able to solve this and link them to other residential burglaries, not only in our jurisdiction but there may be others.”

Longtime, neighborhood watchdog Marilyn Smit said the surveillance tape shows the latest in a number of burglaries in her area of central Coral Gables.

“Obviously I want them caught,” Smit said. “They planned it out. They watched. We look around more than ever. It is happening not just to him but down the street and the other side also. I’ve been here for 22 years and this is the first time it’s happening this many times.”

“I don’t always check all of my doors,” she said. “I’m going to start doing that now to make sure the doors are not open and keep an eye out on the neighborhood.”

Police could not say if there has been a surge recently in home burglaries but they said residents should be more careful as the holidays approach with more people buying and storing precious items and gifts.

Police said the victims did have an alarm system but it was not activated.

If you can help solve this case, call Coral Gables Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.